Today it released Applause, a service that uses an algorithm to crawl all live apps in the App Store and Google Play to aggregate every app's ranking and user reviews to determine the quality of an individual app.

HotWingConspiracy:Today it released Applause, a service that uses an algorithm to crawl all live apps in the App Store and Google Play to aggregate every app's ranking and user reviews to determine the quality of an individual app.

Carth:iOS has better games on it but Google has more useful apps. Last time I checked Apple doesn't have anything like Nova Launcher, Smart Tools and Beautiful Widgets. Oh, SuperGNES is pretty awesome too.

Unfortunately, Android apps can be working great one day and not at all the next. My wife generally throws her Toshiba tablet at me and says, "Fix it!" when her favorite apps go sideways. Usually, fixing it involves the next update.

And that's why it was a bad move for Google to rename their media and app store to 'Google Play.' The platform has all this potential for Serious Productivity, and their brand strategy is ignoring it entirely.

I use both, and find them pretty equal. For every useful iOS app, Android will usually have an equal counterpart. Also same for Android apps having an iOS counterpart. iOS does seem to have more tablet specific apps then Android.

Yawn, just an article to start stupid phone flame wars, nothing more. Each platform has pretty much equally great apps. I read another article and they said a search for flashlight on iOS app store came up with 100K plus results. I am sure just as many would show up on the Play Store.

Dufus:Carth: iOS has better games on it but Google has more useful apps. Last time I checked Apple doesn't have anything like Nova Launcher, Smart Tools and Beautiful Widgets. Oh, SuperGNES is pretty awesome too.

Unfortunately, Android apps can be working great one day and not at all the next. My wife generally throws her Toshiba tablet at me and says, "Fix it!" when her favorite apps go sideways. Usually, fixing it involves the next update.

I wonder if that is a result of Android developers having to plan for more devices. I've stuck do the Nexus branded ones and haven't run into a problem yet.

Carth:iOS has better games on it but Google has more useful apps. Last time I checked Apple doesn't have anything like Nova Launcher, Smart Tools and Beautiful Widgets. Oh, SuperGNES is pretty awesome too.

Beautiful Widgets? The app that just ups and disappears every few months? I'm glad Apple doesn't have anything like that.

Carth:iOS has better games on it but Google has more useful apps. Last time I checked Apple doesn't have anything like Nova Launcher, Smart Tools and Beautiful Widgets. Oh, SuperGNES is pretty awesome too.

There's an easy counter to the "better games" opinion. You touched on it already. Android allows me to side load apps from anywhere I choose. This allows me to run emulators for many different consoles. ios might have more fun-for-5-minutes-a-day games but Android let me play BoF3, Chrono Trigger, Mario RPG, LoZ:LTTP and LoZ:LA, FFVII and VIII, Sim City, Earthbound, etc. The touchscreen controls are easy to get used to as well. At least, they were for me. I can't speak for those with poor coordination.

Disposable Rob:Carth: iOS has better games on it but Google has more useful apps. Last time I checked Apple doesn't have anything like Nova Launcher, Smart Tools and Beautiful Widgets. Oh, SuperGNES is pretty awesome too.

Beautiful Widgets? The app that just ups and disappears every few months? I'm glad Apple doesn't have anything like that.

Apple has zero widgets due to the programming restrictions and inability to inter-talk between apps. Also beautiful widgets doesn't just "disappear" every few months, you either uninstalled it or lying outright...i'm going with outright lie.

Carth:iOS has better games on it but Google has more useful apps. Last time I checked Apple doesn't have anything like Nova Launcher, Smart Tools and Beautiful Widgets. Oh, SuperGNES is pretty awesome too.

Can you sync a Wiimote with SuperGNES? I have NES.emu for Nintendo games and it allows me to sync a Wiimote right in the app, pretty awesome for my Nexus 7 on trips. I will purchase said SuperGNES if it has controller support, I hate touch screen controls for d-pads

moistD:Carth: iOS has better games on it but Google has more useful apps. Last time I checked Apple doesn't have anything like Nova Launcher, Smart Tools and Beautiful Widgets. Oh, SuperGNES is pretty awesome too.

Can you sync a Wiimote with SuperGNES? I have NES.emu for Nintendo games and it allows me to sync a Wiimote right in the app, pretty awesome for my Nexus 7 on trips. I will purchase said SuperGNES if it has controller support, I hate touch screen controls for d-pads

Carth:I wonder if that is a result of Android developers having to plan for more devices. I've stuck do the Nexus branded ones and haven't run into a problem yet.

That's exactly what it is actually. Done a little Android development and when creating a project, you have to include specific libraries and dependencies depending on which OS version you are targeting. Plus you have to include different graphic assets for tablets/large phones, to account for varying screen sizes. It can become a pain including support for both. You can devise a fix for bug that is only existing on one version of the OS, and inadvertently introduce a bug for a different version.

I will say, for the shiat I give Apple, their philosophy about keeping the OS unified across platforms certainly makes development easier.

Carth:moistD: Carth: iOS has better games on it but Google has more useful apps. Last time I checked Apple doesn't have anything like Nova Launcher, Smart Tools and Beautiful Widgets. Oh, SuperGNES is pretty awesome too.

Can you sync a Wiimote with SuperGNES? I have NES.emu for Nintendo games and it allows me to sync a Wiimote right in the app, pretty awesome for my Nexus 7 on trips. I will purchase said SuperGNES if it has controller support, I hate touch screen controls for d-pads

It can use a wiimote if you aren't on 4.2 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ccpcreations.androi d .WiiUseAndroidOtherwise you need to root to use gamepad.

Carth:Damn lack of edit funtion. Either way there is a free version of SuperGNES you can download to see if your controller works. You just can't save with the free version.

That's because the Android OS lets apps actually interact with the OS and other apps. Apple won't let developers do that with iOS apps.

The most useful app I've used on either platform is one that will turn off your phone's lock screen password when you're connected to specified wi-fi signals. So when you're connected to your home wi-fi you don't have to enter your password every time you pick up your phone. But when you leave your wi-fi the lock is reengaged.

ColSanders:Carth: iOS has better games on it but Google has more useful apps.

That's because the Android OS lets apps actually interact with the OS and other apps. Apple won't let developers do that with iOS apps.

The most useful app I've used on either platform is one that will turn off your phone's lock screen password when you're connected to specified wi-fi signals. So when you're connected to your home wi-fi you don't have to enter your password every time you pick up your phone. But when you leave your wi-fi the lock is reengaged.

kalor:Disposable Rob: Carth: iOS has better games on it but Google has more useful apps. Last time I checked Apple doesn't have anything like Nova Launcher, Smart Tools and Beautiful Widgets. Oh, SuperGNES is pretty awesome too.

Beautiful Widgets? The app that just ups and disappears every few months? I'm glad Apple doesn't have anything like that.

Apple has zero widgets due to the programming restrictions and inability to inter-talk between apps. Also beautiful widgets doesn't just "disappear" every few months, you either uninstalled it or lying outright...i'm going with outright lie.

Nope (I'm not the only one with this issue, Google it). Every few months on my stock Nexus 7, any widgets related to BW just go away and it's not the only app that does this. It's one of the major issues that have kept me sticking with the iPhone. That and I haven't rebooted my iPhone in months (other than for OS updates), while my Nexus 7 decides to hard reboot every few weeks.

In my house we have an iPod Touch, an iPad Mini, a Kindle Fire HD and an Nexus 7 running JB 4.2.

My favorite is the Nexus, but I get the feeling that Google is nowhere near as disciplined as Apple in terms of QA and testing. New releases have unintended consequences not only for 3rd party applications but for things like power management, etc. There's a reason Apple does things the way they do.

Back on topic though: I was a little concerned that I wouldn't find fun / useful apps for the Nexus but so far there's plenty. Lots of crap spyware / adware disguised as barely playable games too, of course. Which I have also noticed in AppStore.

ColSanders:Carth: iOS has better games on it but Google has more useful apps.

That's because the Android OS lets apps actually interact with the OS and other apps. Apple won't let developers do that with iOS apps.

The most useful app I've used on either platform is one that will turn off your phone's lock screen password when you're connected to specified wi-fi signals. So when you're connected to your home wi-fi you don't have to enter your password every time you pick up your phone. But when you leave your wi-fi the lock is reengaged.

Apple would never allow an app like that for the iPhone.

Yeah, that sounds pretty awesome. If you happen to remember the name of the app, it would be most appreciated!

kalor: Also beautiful widgets doesn't just "disappear" every few months, you either uninstalled it or lying outright...i'm going with outright lie.

They DO disappear from the screen you placed them on and it was a known issue for awhile, but I'm pretty sure it's been fixed. Hasn't happened to me in months.

Disposable Rob:Nope (I'm not the only one with this issue, Google it). Every few months on my stock Nexus 7, any widgets related to BW just go away and it's not the only app that does this. It's one of the major issues that have kept me sticking with the iPhone. That and I haven't rebooted my iPhone in months (other than for OS updates), while my Nexus 7 decides to hard reboot every few weeks.

Yeesh, that sucks. Sounds more like you got a bad tablet. Tried an RMA? Asus is pretty good about returns. I've had zero problems with my Nexus 7, love it. Makes the perfect comic reader.

The most useful app I've used on either platform is one that will turn off your phone's lock screen password when you're connected to specified wi-fi signals. So when you're connected to your home wi-fi you don't have to enter your password every time you pick up your phone. But when you leave your wi-fi the lock is reengaged.

YodaBlues:kalor: Also beautiful widgets doesn't just "disappear" every few months, you either uninstalled it or lying outright...i'm going with outright lie.

They DO disappear from the screen you placed them on and it was a known issue for awhile, but I'm pretty sure it's been fixed. Hasn't happened to me in months.

Disposable Rob: Nope (I'm not the only one with this issue, Google it). Every few months on my stock Nexus 7, any widgets related to BW just go away and it's not the only app that does this. It's one of the major issues that have kept me sticking with the iPhone. That and I haven't rebooted my iPhone in months (other than for OS updates), while my Nexus 7 decides to hard reboot every few weeks.

Yeesh, that sucks. Sounds more like you got a bad tablet. Tried an RMA? Asus is pretty good about returns. I've had zero problems with my Nexus 7, love it. Makes the perfect comic reader.

Anyone considering buying a Nexus 7, here's a bit of advice. Purchase it from a brick and mortar store; Staples, Best Buy, etc. Don't buy a used one. The early releases had some quality control issues. Buying from a brick and mortar store makes it easier to return should you have a problem.

kalor:Disposable Rob: Carth: iOS has better games on it but Google has more useful apps. Last time I checked Apple doesn't have anything like Nova Launcher, Smart Tools and Beautiful Widgets. Oh, SuperGNES is pretty awesome too.

Beautiful Widgets? The app that just ups and disappears every few months? I'm glad Apple doesn't have anything like that.

Apple has zero widgets due to the programming restrictions and inability to inter-talk between apps. Also beautiful widgets doesn't just "disappear" every few months, you either uninstalled it or lying outright...i'm going with outright lie.

I used to love Beautiful Widgets. Until the latest update. Now the clock freezes, pretty much making the widget useless to me. They rewrote the whole thing, I'm assuming for 4.1+ functionality. I hope they re-rewrite it. Soon.

Abe Vigoda's Ghost:Anyone considering buying a Nexus 7, here's a bit of advice. Purchase it from a brick and mortar store; Staples, Best Buy, etc. Don't buy a used one. The early releases had some quality control issues. Buying from a brick and mortar store makes it easier to return should you have a problem.

Unfortunately, I didn't have that option, although I did check around my area. I bought my mine about a week before they dropped the price on the 16GB version and Google was nice enough to allow me to return the 8GB and upgrade to the 16GB at the same cost.

Between the wife and I, since 2011, with 3 different phones, 3 different interfaces (Sense, CM, Touchwiz), never had the issue, I have a feeling it isn't as massively wide spread as some would like to say it is

The most useful app I've used on either platform is one that will turn off your phone's lock screen password when you're connected to specified wi-fi signals. So when you're connected to your home wi-fi you don't have to enter your password every time you pick up your phone. But when you leave your wi-fi the lock is reengaged.

Is that Tasker? Might have to finally buy it, guys at work love it.

Yep, Tasker will let you do that. Awesome app. Has a bit of a learning curve to get around, but is AMAZINGLY powerful. People share their scripts which helps if some of the scripting is a bit over your head, you can learn by example or just grab theirs if it's exactly what you want to do.Another thing Tasker can take the place of, is a "find my phone" app, you can set it up to txt you back its GPS loc if lost, or take a photo, or turn up the volume so you can ring it to find it.

Something to consider before buying, you can buy it via the Google store, or direct from them.Read that part of their FAQ before making the purchase:http://tasker.dinglisch.net/faq-ov.html#g4I originally went with direct from them cause it was cheaper, but now that I own a tablet too... doh. Will eventually install my directly purchased copy to my wife's phone and get it from the Play store using my gmail account so it'll work on my tablet too.

piercedgeek:Yep, Tasker will let you do that. Awesome app. Has a bit of a learning curve to get around, but is AMAZINGLY powerful. People share their scripts which helps if some of the scripting is a bit over your head, you can learn by example or just grab theirs if it's exactly what you want to do.Another thing Tasker can take the place of, is a "find my phone" app, you can set it up to txt you back its GPS loc if lost, or take a photo, or turn up the volume so you can ring it to find it.

Something to consider before buying, you can buy it via the Google store, or direct from them.Read that part of their FAQ before making the purchase:http://tasker.dinglisch.net/faq-ov.html#g4I originally went with direct from them cause it was cheaper, but now that I own a tablet too... doh. Will eventually install my directly purchased copy to my wife's phone and get it from the Play store using my gmail account so it'll work on my tablet too.

Awesome, thanks for the info! Probably go through the store for the same reasons, so I can use it on my app.

In other news, the Nexus 4 is back in stock at Google. If you're on iOS, you now can have an unlocked Android phone as a spare for the price of about ten typical iTunes apps and the new Sheryl Crow album.

Dufus:Carth: iOS has better games on it but Google has more useful apps. Last time I checked Apple doesn't have anything like Nova Launcher, Smart Tools and Beautiful Widgets. Oh, SuperGNES is pretty awesome too.

Unfortunately, Android apps can be working great one day and not at all the next. My wife generally throws her Toshiba tablet at me and says, "Fix it!" when her favorite apps go sideways. Usually, fixing it involves the next update.

Titanium Backup the app + data before updating any critical apps. Restore over a bad update as necessary.

I believe it was announced recently that Carbon backup is now on Google Play; I've never tried it but it's there as a free alternative to Titanium Backup.

H31N0US:ColSanders: To those asking about the app I mentioned that removes your lock screen password when connected to specified wi-fi signals, it is called Unlock With Wifi.

LINKY

IIRC there is a free version that lets you specify only one wi-fi signal, but the paid version lets you add several. Best money I've ever spent on an app.

While I think that's a cook app, is it really that hard to unlock a screen?

It's a pain in the ass and having your phone not have a lock screen when it's in your home is a great feature that gets rid of the annoyance at home. The app doesn't cure cancer but it's typical example of exactly when most people want out of a phone app and will pay money for.

SVenus:In other news, the Nexus 4 is back in stock at Google. If you're on iOS, you now can have an unlocked Android phone as a spare for the price of about ten typical iTunes apps and the new Sheryl Crow album.

I will probably get that phone when my contract expires in the next few months. No more contract crap for me.I only wish it had a MicroSD slot.

Abe Vigoda's Ghost:Anyone considering buying a Nexus 7, here's a bit of advice. Purchase it from a brick and mortar store; Staples, Best Buy, etc. Don't buy a used one. The early releases had some quality control issues. Buying from a brick and mortar store makes it easier to return should you have a problem.

That may be the case with mine which is from the second or third wave of tablets Google sent out.